»08/30/2012RUSSIA - JAPANPatriarch Kirill in Japan for the centennial of Saint Nicholas' death
Russian Orthodox religious leader will visit Japan between 14 and 18 September to remember the saint who established the local Orthodox Church. In 1970, Moscow granted Japan its autonomy, recognising its founder as "Equal-to-the-Apostles".

Moscow
(AsiaNews) - The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill announced that he
will visit Japan on 14-18 September to celebrate the centennial of the death of
Saint Nicholas, archbishop of Japan and a great missionary who founded the Japanese
Orthodox Church. After meeting with Japanese Ambassador to Russia Chikahito
Harada, the patriarch made his decision official.

The
patriarch will be hosted by the Metropolitan of Tokyo and All Japan, Daniel. After
his visit to the archipelago, Kirill will travel to Krasnoyark in Siberia and Vladivostok,
where he will meet with local Orthodox and authorities.

The
Orthodox Church of Japan is an autonomous Church within the Orthodox Church. Born
Ivan Kasatkin, Saint Nicholas was sent in 1861 to the island of Hokkaido as a
presbyter to a chapel of the Russian consulate.

During
his mission, he translated the Holy Scriptures and other religious texts into
Japanese and had Tokyo's Holy Resurrection Cathedral built.

In
1970, when the autonomy of the Japanese Church was recognised, he was proclaimed
as "Equal-to-the-Apostles," a title given to saints who distinguish themselves
for their great missionary commitment.

At
present, there are 30,000 Japanese Orthodox, divided in three dioceses: Tokyo, led
by Archbishop Daniel Nushiro; Sendai, in the east, led by Bishop Seraphim
Tsujie; and Kyoto, in the west, also led by Daniel as locumtenens.

CHINAWenzhou: 90-year-old bishop and 26 priests protest against cross demolitionsby Joseph YuanThis is not the first time that the old bishop and his priests speak out against the demolition campaign against crosses and churches, which has touched more than 400 buildings. During the protest, police tried to disperse the group, which sought to submit a petition. The faithful recite a Crown of the Divine Mercy is in support of the Chinese Church. In Lishui, churches are expected to be torn down by 31 August.

ISRAEL - IRANAfter nuclear deal, Israel ought to become Iran’s best ally by Uri AvneryThis is the thesis of Uri Avnery, leader of Gush Shalom, a major supporter of peace between Israelis and Palestinians. According to the great statesman and peace activist, Iran only wants to be a regional power in the Islamic world, able to trade with everyone, inspired by a sophisticated experience that goes back thousands of years. Iran, which faces backward-looking Gulf monarchies and emirates, could be a great ally against Daesh. Meanwhile in Israel Netanyahu, politicians and the media continue to blunder.